Kerala: Cops hold off on exhuming body of person who attained 'samadhi'

Thiruvananthapuram: The claim of a family in Thiruvananthapuram that the head of the family has attained 'samadhi' has triggered a row.

The police's attempt to open the tomb in which the missing person is said to be buried has led to tensions in the area, prompting the police to put a hold on the move.

The row is over the disappearance of Gopan alias Gopan Swami, 69, hailing from Neyyatinkara on the suburbs of Thiruvananthapuram.

His family comprising wife Sulochana and two sons, Rajasenan and Sananthan, claimed that he attained 'Samadhi' through meditation on Thursday and was buried in a tomb on the premises of a house where a temple is also located. The family also said they are performing poojas at the tomb.

Local people and some relatives raised suspicions over the incident. They said that they were unaware of Gopan's death until the family put up a poster stating that 'Gopan swami' had attained 'Samadhi'. Hence they demanded that the tomb should be examined.

Subsequently the police intervened and registered a missing persons case. Based on an order of the district administration, the police on Monday reached the spot to open the tomb. However, the family members blocked the move by squatting in front of the tomb.

The family maintained that the body was buried without showing anyone to ensure that its spirituality was not lost. They also said that opening the tomb would affect its spiritual powers.

Leaders of some religious forums also backed the family stating that their beliefs should be respected. They also said that the local people involved in a civil dispute with the family over land were creating the issue.

Owing to the escalating tension, the police withdrew from opening the tomb and decided to hold further deliberations.